Plastic coating camouflages cellular telephone towers to look like tall trees
Chemthane 7850, a molded polyurethane (elastomeric plastic) coating, forms a flexible skin of artificial tree bark to disguise cellular towers. Helps please municipal and park officials faced with public opposition to monopole cellular towers that may stand 150 ft. tall and hamper scenic beauty of landscapes. The coating contains no solvents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to endanger environment. Resists tearing, impact, and abrasion, plus comes in fire-retardant version. Wont hinder operation of cell tower or obstruct signals. To create artificial bark, worker sprays coating into a mold made from an actual tree trunk. Coating cures almost instantly, creating a sheet of replica bark that measures approximately 8 by 4 ft. In about 10 mins., plastic bark can be demolded for wrapping and gluing to steel pole. After adding several sheets of cured bark to pole, workers stain structure to match authentic color of tree bark. Process creates bark-like feel on bottom 8 ft. of tree. Remainder of tree trunk (to top of pole) then receives companion coating (a direct-to-metal acrylic polyurethane) that matches bark color. To crown the artificial tree, branches from actual trees and/or silk leaves can be purchased from another firm and fastened onto pole.